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Data-driven battery production

Digitalize your battery production and benefit from greater resilience, flexibility and ROI.

Battery Production

How to automate battery cell production

The most successful battery manufacturers rely on TURCK technology. Leverage your automation system data to achieve optimum production efficiency, the highest availability and impeccable product quality.

Battery production is rapidly gaining momentum around the world. The energy and mobility transition are driving this development. One thing is certain: the next 20 years of battery production will differ dramatically from the last 20 years.

The processes and technologies for producing battery cells will continue to develop in the coming years. New raw materials, changes in mixing and coating processes or new processes for calendering and winding will provide advancements. But how can battery cell manufacturers prepare existing and future production plants for this dynamic phase and dramatically shortened innovation cycles?

TURCK's response: with smart automation technology, data-driven process optimization and flexible production facilities. RFID identification technology helps increase the output of existing systems while improving process reliability and product quality. Smart automation with condition monitoring detects problems at an early stage, enabling predictive maintenance that permanently increases availability and, in turn, overall equipment efficiency (OEE). Decentralized automation technology with rugged IP67 systems that don't need a control cabinet makes it easier to set up modular production systems where machines can later be regrouped or capacities relocated.

Three charging stations for production efficiency

The digitalization of automation and production technology offers many opportunities. Use these to improve the output and quality of existing plants — and set the benchmark for battery cell production plants.

Recording and monitoring production

The energy density of batteries is comparable to that of explosives. Defective batteries can be hazardous. A production process that tracks and documents every raw material, every product and every production step ensures battery cells of the highest quality. In case of doubt, track-and-trace systems can be used to help provide error-free production.

TURCK has almost 20 years of experience with HF and UHF RFID solutions in manufacturing. Few other automation providers can offer such a broad RFID portfolio and unique technologies such as HF bus mode.

Overall equipment efficiency of the production plant (OEE)

The cost of a product and the profitability of a production process depend heavily on the availability of the production plant. This is another reason why increasing the overall equipment efficiency of a system is a central objective in battery production. The objectives are to minimize unplanned machine downtime and to eliminate material bottlenecks.

With automation technology from TURCK, you can overcome both challenges: You can monitor machine conditions comprehensively to plan maintenance in advance, while RFID identification technology improves data for material procurement.

Flexible production

As battery applications continue to diversify, the number of battery cell types will also increase. This means production plants being built must be designed to accommodate future adjustments, both mechanically and in terms of automation. Modular system designs are the ideal way to achieve greater flexibility.

Combining decentralized I/O and control solutions with machine communication based on industrial Ethernet makes it possible to regroup system modules. Decentralized control and safety technology also enables testing to be carried out during production, significantly accelerating commissioning of the overall plant and reducing time to market.

IIoT solutions for battery manufacturing

TURCK has developed unique technologies and solutions to help you take your production processes to the next level in your industry.

RFID HF bus mode for efficient production tracking

Identification solutions for manufacturing plants often require many read/write points within short distances. With HF bus mode, you can connect up to 32 RFID read/write devices in a series for the first time—quickly and easily using a T-piece with pre-assembled cables—and operate them on a single RFID port. This offers three benefits:

Less time needed for commissioning thanks to automatic address assignment
Lower costs since fewer lines and RFID ports are required
Higher availability, since read/write devices can be easily replaced by devices of the same design in the event of damage

Field Logic Controller for decentralized automation

No other supplier has such a comprehensive range of IP67 solutions for decentralized automation that don't need to be housed in a control cabinet. Starting with IP67 block I/O modules with integrated logic to Edge Controllers and Safety Controllers to the powerful IP67 PLC. The result is:

Reduced commissioning times thanks to minimized mechanical work and wiring
Cost savings by reducing the central control performance
Higher availability due to maximum durability

IO-Link from a single source for improved production data

IO-Link provides the data required to monitor the condition of your machines and plan maintenance intervals in advance. For example, IO-Link transmits not only the user data, but also operating hours or internal temperature values from sensors. Unusually high temperatures can indicate mechanical problems. TURCK's IO-Link portfolio is one of the most complete portfolios on the market — from sensors (IO-Link devices) through hubs to IO-Link masters. TURCK offers unique solutions for easy handling of IO-Link systems, such as Simple IO-Link Device Integration (SIDI).

TAS — software for IIoT and more

TAS stands for TURCK Automation Suite. With this IIoT platform, you can get the most out of your TURCK devices and benefit from a complete solution for updates, device management and smart sensor technology. TAS will enable IIoT functionalities such as condition monitoring or edge control on PCs or local servers. TAS already simplifies the management and commissioning of TURCK devices in Industrial Ethernet networks, including the ARGEE logic software and TURCK's BEEP protocol to reduce IP addresses. The TAS IIoT platform also enables you to conduct proven feasibility studies for RFID systems.

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